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Empowered Youth Development Initiatives Presents.... Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7, 2025 Oneida Hotel and Conference Center; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA The North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame will recognize the 2025 inductee class as well as other annual inductees in an exclusive ceremony and lunch on Saturday, June 7, 2025. There were 54 inductees and 300 guests at the first banquet on September 9, 2023 at the Canterbury Park Expo Center, Shakopee, MN, USA. Last September 16, 2024 there were 55 inductees and 450 guests at the Oneida Hotel and Conference Center, Green Bay, WI, USA. By honoring and celebrating the empowered journey of these individuals and teams, the hope is their stories may inspire future generations to follow their dreams in athletics. Please join us in our efforts to honor and recognize the elite indigenous athletics leaders in North America by becoming a hall of fame, table or drawing sponsor for the 2025 North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet. All proceeds will offset the event expenses including providing gifts to the inductees. This is the NAIAHF website: https://www.naiahf.org/ Dr. Dan and Susan Ninham, Directors, NAIAHF, PO Box 652, Red Lake, MN, USA, 56671, cell: 218.368.6430 coach.danninham@gmail.com 2025 NAIAHF Banquet Weekend Schedule Saturday 6/7/2025 7:00am Sunrise Tobacco Burning Ceremony Dr. Artley Skenandore Oneida Hotel and Conference Center; Green Bay, WI Saturday 6/7/2025 12:30pm Doors Open to 2025 NAIAHF Banquet NAIAHF Banquet: Opening Reception with Beverage Stations Three Clans Complex, Oneida Hotel and Conference Center Saturday 6/7/2025 1:00pm Welcome and Moment of Silence: Susan Ninham Honor Song: Buffalo Creek Drum Saturday 6/7/2025 1:30-2:30pm Buffet Lunch Meal Blessing: Susan Ninham Music Performance: Keith Secola, Anishinaabe, Singer/Songwriter, Music Performance Sponsor: Oneida Nation Saturday 6/7/2025 2:30pm-3:15pm Meet and Greet Inductees Reception Drawing Prizes Saturday 6/7/2025 3:15pm-4:00pm Oneida Smoke Dancers Demonstration Sponsor: Oneida Nation Saturday 6/7/2025 4:00 Sponsor Acknowledgment and Speaker Introductions: Dr. Dan Ninham Tehassi Hill, Chariman, Oneida Nation Ernie Stevens Jr., Chairman, Indian Gaming Association Vin Baker, RiseAbove, Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach, four-time NBA All Star, Olympic Champion Ogimaa Tim Ominika, Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Ontario, Canada Julius Poitra, White Shield School, ND/Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation Individual and Team Inductee Recognition: Susan and Dr. Dan Ninham Honor Song: Chief Philip Whiteman Jr. Inductee Group Photo Meet and Greet Inductees Reception Inductee Speech Session Drawing Prizes Travel Song: Buffalo Creek Drum Inductee Banners Distribution

< Back Zach Whitecloud Zach Whitecloud Sioux Valley Dakota Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Zach Whitecloud, who spent much of his upbringing on the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, joined a group of Stanley Cup winners of Indigenous descent including Hockey Hall of Famers Bryan Trottier and Grant Fuhr when three of his eight points in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs came in the Stanley Cup Final to help the Golden Knights defeat the Florida Panthers 9-3 in Game 5. Whitecloud became the second defenseman in 22 years and 11th in the NHL modern era (since 1943-44) to score the game-winning goal in the opening game of the Final. Whitecloud was traded to the Calgary Flames on Jan. 18, 2026. He was third on the Golden Knights in hits (73), blocks (63) and short-handed time on ice per game (1:44) at the time of the deal. After playing played three seasons with the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Whitecloud then moved on to Bemidji State University in Minnesota. In two NCAA seasons Whitecloud had 36 points (seven goals, 29 assists) in 77 games. Whitecloud signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Golden Knights on March 8, 2018, and made his NHL debut a month later, playing 16:42 against the Edmonton Oilers on April 5, 2018. He played all of 2018-19 with Chicago of the American Hockey League, finishing with 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 74 games and leading the AHL with a plus-39 rating. In the 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs, Whitecloud led all defensemen with 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 22 games the most by an AHL rookie defenseman since Alex Goligoski had 28 points with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2008. Whitecloud started 2019-20 in the AHL and had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 35 games. He was recalled by the Golden Knights on Feb. 1 and got his first NHL point Feb. 28 against the Buffalo Sabres, an assist on a third-period goal by Reilly Smith in a 4-2 victory. In 16 games Whitecloud averaged 14:19 of ice time and was plus-3. Source: Calgary Flames <Back

< Back Nakola Bad Bear Nakola Bad Bear Crow Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2025 Nakola Bad Bear, Crow, was raised in Pryor, Montana and her parents are Curtis and Nadia Bad Bear. Nakola attended Montana State University-Bozeman (MSU-Bozeman) and was on the basketball team for four seasons. She graduated with a degree in Community Health. At MSU-Bozeman her team won two Big Sky tournament championships, three Big Sky conference titles, and appeared in the national tournament. She was named a two-time all conference and an all-tournament honoree. Nakola was the co-president for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) Student Association for two years and they held annual MMIP awareness basketball games. She grad-transferred to MSU-Billings to play her final year of eligibility and they won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship and made it to the NCAA DII Final Eight. She was named the Newcomer of the Year, Second Team All Big Sky Conference as a senior and Third Team as a junior, two-time All Big Sky Academic Team, GNAC Player of the Year, D2 CA All Region First Team, WBCA All American First Team and CSC Academic All American. Nakola plans to start graduate school in Occupational Therapy in the fall of 2025. She hopes to continue to inspire the next generation, continuing to lay a foundation for the future kids to grow and thrive on. She hopes to open a therapy clinic on her reservation to help eliminate generational trauma, and break the cycle of poverty. <Back

< Back Gaylord Powless Gaylord Powless Mohawk, Wolf Clan Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2024 Gaylord Powless was a Mohawk lacrosse player from the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nations Reserve, Ontario, Canada where he was the eldest of 14 children born to Ross and Wilma Powless. Powless received his first lacrosse stick at age two and by age 17, he won the Tom Longboat Award as the best Indigenous athlete in Canada. In 1964, Gaylord was recruited by the Oshawa Green Gaels junior lacrosse team, by coach Jim Bishop to which he led to four consecutive Minto Cups from 1964 to 1967 and was chosen as the most valuable player in the series in 1964 and 1967. Powless turned professional in 1968 and, in 1969, played for the Rochester Chiefs, winning the Can-Am Lacrosse League title. He went on to a successful career in professional and senior amateur lacrosse with teams in Detroit, Syracuse, New York, Montreal, Brantford, Port Coquitlam, and Brampton as well as with the Six Nations team. Powless was also a star player for the Detroit Olympics of the National Lacrosse Association. He scored 63 goals in the 1968 season, twice as many as his nearest competition. He knew where everyone was at all times on the field of play, was an unselfish player, and an outstanding playmaker. Powless's career was cut short by injuries and in 1977, he retired at the age of 30. He had to withstand tremendous racism from coaches, players, fans, and sports writers. His reaction was to recognize that he was a target for bullying and abuse and to overcome it by being the best player, and the highest scoring athlete he could be. Sadly, Powless lost his battle with cancer on July 28, 2001, but his influence as a role model and inspiration to generations of Indigenous youth carries on. He left behind his wife Patti, daughters Michelle and Gaylene, and son Christopher (deceased 2015) who he coached in lacrosse to his Jr. career. His grandchildren Taylor, David, Kahner, Rachel and Kali continue his legacy through their love of sports, they would have been his greatest accomplishment. <Back

2019 Haudenosaunee Nationals Women Team 2024 Induction Category: Year Inducted <Back The Haudenosaunee Nationals women's team won the gold medal in the Pan-American Lacrosse World Qualifiers in Auburndale, Florida. The team started the tournament defeating Columbia 17-3. Next, they defeated Jamaica 21-3 to advance to the semifinals against Mexico. After defeating Mexico 14-4, the Haudenosaunee Nationals met Puerto Rico in the championship game, winning by a score of 16-6 to sweep through the tournament unbeaten. Top row left to right: WL Competition Chair Fiona Clark; HL Asst. Coach Leah Gallagher; Taylor Frink, Onondaga; Victoria Thompson, Mohawk; Tsiotenhariio Herne, Mohawk; Lois Garlow, Seneca; Mirabella Lazore, Mohawk; Enahaogwahs Schindler, Cayuga; Fantasy Jimerson, Seneca; Amber Hill, Cayuga; Gawehegyeho Thomas, Cayuga; HN Head Coach Katie Rowan; WL President Sue Redfern; HN Manager Tia Schindler, Cayuga Bottom row left to right: Kimberly Gibson, Cayuga; Jacelyn Lazore, Mohawk; Jalyn Jimerson, Cayuga; Katie Smith, Mohawk; Wadatawi Bomberry, Mohawk; Kohen Schindler, Cayuga; Trystyn Miller, Oneida; Dana Isaacs, Onondaga; Awehiyo Thomas, Cayuga; PALA President Katherine Loh

Mark D. Williams <Back Choctaw Induction Category: Media Year Inducted 2023 Mark D. Williams is an award-winning Choctaw filmmaker from Shawnee, Oklahoma. Having never been to film school, Mark was self-taught using friends and family for his first few projects. His first short film premiered at the Red Fork Film Festival in Tulsa in 2006. He would go on to write and direct more short films until 2012 when he made his first feature length film, “The Unrest” (winner of the BEST FILM award at the Mvskoke Film Festival). In 2016, his second feature film, “Violet”, won 12 awards in the US and overseas with 29 award nominations overall. In 2016, he began focusing on Native American sport and athletes’s stories with his first documentary titled “Beans” (Best Documentary at the Fort Worth Indie Film Showcase). It was followed by another award-winning boxing documentary titled, “Shiloh” which can be found on Amazon Prime. He followed up Shiloh with another boxing film, “Knifechief”. In 2020, his short film, “Warrior Coach”, won 2 awards (Bare Bones International Film Festival and Best Director at LA Skins Fest). Mark’s first feature length sports documentary, “Tvshka Nowvt Aya”, covered Oklahoma Choctaw stickball and won Best Film in 2018 at the NatiVisions Film Festival in Arizona. His second documentary with the Choctaw Nation, “Ikhaiyana la chi” (I Will Remember) won three awards (NatiVisions Film Festival, LA Skins Fest, Will Rogers International Film Festival). Mark’s latest film, “The Journey of Tiak Hikiya Ohoyo”, a sports documentary about Mississippi Choctaw Stickball was released in August 2022 in Film Festivals having won Best Feature Documentary (Fort Smith International Film Festival) and Best Feature Film (Indigenous Film Festival). He is currently writing his next script and researching more cultural projects to give the Native people an authentic voice. Photo Credits: Wasey Lamar and Delaney Pennock

Dominic Tiger-Cortes Muscogee Creek Induction Category: Year Inducted Trainer 2024 <Back Dominic Tiger-Cortes is a Native youth programming consultant and a professional skills development basketball trainer based in New York City. He is the founder and Creative Director for “Honor Our Only Passion” (H.O.O.P.) Medicine, a program founded on a philosophy that Dominic created and lives by. He incorporates this philosophy when working with the youth by teaching basic fundamentals, advanced skills, and honoring the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health aspects that can be used for basketball and in life. H.O.O.P. Medicine’s mission is to create a positive wellness and healthy lifestyle culture for our youth and future generations. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Tiger-Cortes grew up with a passion for basketball. He was a four-year letterman at Glendora High School in California, where he tallied 1,667 career points, was a three-time All-League recipient, three-time All-California Interscholastic Federation recipient and the 2008 San Gabriel Valley Tribune Player of the Year. Tiger-Cortes continued on to Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas where he was a critical piece in the school’s winningest team in four years. Tiger-Cortes also earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Haskell. Aside from his personal athletic career, he has extensive experience training athletes from colleges including Cal State Fullerton, University of Arizona, and NYU, as well as tribal colleges including Haskell Indian Nations University, United Tribes, Bacone College and Northwest Indian College. Tiger-Cortes trained professional players from leagues in Europe, Puerto Rico, Mexico, to the NBA G League. His true mission is to bridge his training experiences and share them with Native youth across all of Indian Country through sports, cultural and wellness programs. Having already collaborated with tribes across the country, such as Fort Mojave, Nez Perce, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Seminole Tribe of Florida, and Seneca Nation, Tiger-Cortes’ vision is to share the benefits of his journey with every tribe.

Leanne Sirup Category Athlete Tribe Inuit Year Inducted 2022 D.O.B. 6/20/1975 Being of Inuit descent, Leanne Sirup’s history in the sport of swimming spans more than three decades; starting as a swimmer, and then transferring her skills to coaching and mentoring. As an athlete, Leanne raced to the podium in numerous championships provincially and nationally as well as competing for Team Canada internationally. During this period, Leanne also set numerous provincial and national records predominantly in the 800m freestyle, the 200m butterfly, and the 400m individual medley. In addition to her decorated career, Sirup came out of retirement and competed at the 1997 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) where she raced to a total of 8 medals and the distinction of the British Columbia (BC) Premier’s Athlete of the Year. As a coach, Sirup has been the head coach of Team BC since 2004. Leading her provincial swimmers in every NAIG since, including a swim team overall victory in NAIG 2017, Leanne has been honored with the Provincial Coach of the Year (2008) and the National Coaching Award for Indigenous Excellence in Sport as presented by the Aboriginal Sport Circle and the Coaches Association of Canada partnership (2008, 2021). Ms Sirup has also been selected by Swimming Natation Canada as a Select Coach for their High Performance Development program. Leanne is keen on giving back to the Sport that has given so much to her. She is proud to serve as a National Coaching Certification Program’s Learning Facilitator since 2012, sharing her knowledge and experience to further the development the sport of swimming. Locally, Leanne continually endeavors to create opportunities for the youth to learn about the sport of swimming to open the pathway for success in any branch of Aquatics. To positively affect those around her, just as her coaches and mentors have done so generously for her. Photo: Carrie Matheson Home 2026 Banquet 2026 Banquet Sponsorship About Inductee Search Provincial Nominees Contact More

< Back Stevie Ray Doxtator Stevie Ray Doxtator Oneida Nation Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2026 Born on January 26, 1997, Stevie Doxtator began his martial arts journey at the age of 12, training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. From a young age, Stevie showed discipline, focus, and a strong work ethic, qualities that would later define his athletic career. By the time he turned 18, he had earned his purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, demonstrating years of dedication to the art of grappling and self-improvement. After finishing school, Stevie took some time away from competition to focus on work, but his passion for martial arts never left. Within a couple of years, he returned to training—this time immersing himself fully in Muay Thai, also known as the art of eight limbs. Over the past five years, Stevie has dedicated himself to mastering the striking discipline, training full-time and competing across Canada. Through relentless effort and determination, Stevie rose to become one of the country’s most respected Indigenous combat athletes. He currently holds a record of 12 fights and was crowned Canadian National Muay Thai Champion in the 71-kilogram division in 2025. His achievements represent not only his personal dedication but also pride and inspiration for his Indigenous community. Stevie’s talent and impact have been recognized throughout his career. He was honored with the Indigenous Fighter of the Year Award in 2022 and received Montreal’s Fighter of the Year Award in 2020, marking his consistency, sportsmanship, and excellence inside and outside the ring. Balancing humility with fierce competitiveness, Stevie continues to grow as both an athlete and role model. His journey from a young martial artist to a national champion stands as a testament to perseverance, cultural pride, and passion for combat sports. Through his accomplishments, Stevie hopes to inspire the next generation of Indigenous athletes to chase their dreams and represent their heritage with strength and honor. <Back

LA Williams <Back Diné Induction Category: Media Year Inducted 2023 L.A. Williams is a longtime Diné broadcaster, sports announcer, commentator, and public speaker from the Navajo Nation. She has worked as a sports radio broadcaster for nearly 30 years, bringing sports events to the Navajo people through the radio airwaves. She started her broadcasting career while attending Fort Lewis College in the early ‘90s before becoming the sports voice of the Navajo Nation as the sports director at KTNN, a local Navajo radio station that prides itself in delivering a Navajo language only broadcast. While at KTNN, she attended many sporting events, commentating and announcing in the Navajo language for the people. During the 1993/1994 NBA season, she signed a contract with the Phoenix Suns, and worked closely with Suns announcer Al McCoy, who challenged the idea that a Phoenix Suns game play-by-play could be done entirely in Navajo. Williams not only made it happen, but went on to interview sports celebrities Robin Roberts, Kobie Bryant, and Chery Miller, to name a few. Williams also regularly broadcasts in Navajo from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and has broadcasted a number of NFL games in Diné. She spent 20 years at KTNN and was dubbed “The Voice of Navajo Sports,” before taking up the communications specialist position at Winslow Indian Health Care Center from 2016-2019. During the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she used her Navajo language skills to translate and relay pandemic-related information to the Diné. During the 2021/2022 NBA season, she returned to Phoenix and provided play-by-play during the NBA Playoffs. Williams is now the program manager at Diné College’s KXWR station, where she trains Navajo students to become the next generation of Navajo radio broadcasters, in hopes of continuing the Diné language.

< Back Cory Bomberry Cory Bomberry Mohawk Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2016 Cory Bomberry was a member of the Mann Cup-winning Six Nations Chiefs in 1994 and 1995. He was also a member of the Iroquois Nationals World Indoor Championship Silver Medal teams in 2003, 2007, and 2011. Bomberry had a 14-year career in the NLL playing with the Rochester Knighthawks between 1997 and 2003, Arizona Sting for one year and Buffalo Bandits for three years. He scored 235 goals, was an NLL champion in 2008 with the Buffalo Bandits and he was in six NLL Finals. Bomberry had more than 40 assists in four consecutive seasons from 2001-2004. He had over 400 assists in his career. He also won almost 50% of over 1,500 face-offs in his career. In 2009, he returned to the Rochester Knighthawks and played one more season before ending his career. During his 13 years as a pro, Cory was twice named the National Lacrosse League Native American MVP. This award was given by the Turtle Island News. <Back

< Back Dr. Chuck Foster Dr. Chuck Foster Navajo Induction Category: Year Inducted Athlete 2023 Dr. Chuck Foster was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation in Fort Defiance, Arizona to the late Harold Y. Foster, who was a Navajo Code Talker and Margaret Foster. He comes from the Kinyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan) born for Dzil’ta’ahnii (Mountain Cove Clan) and his grandfather, Ta’baabi’ (Edge Water Clan) and grandmother, Hona’gha’ahii (One Who Walks Around Clan). Marie Foster, his wife of 46 years have four adult children and four grandchildren. He was a distinguished student/athlete from Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance, Arizona. He received his AA Degree from Central Arizona College, his BS Degree from the University of Arizona and his MEd and Doctorate Degrees from Brigham Young University. His experience in teaching at the high school and being a school administrator was met with outstanding achievement awards. He was a three sport all state and state champion athlete in high school and competed at the highest level in Arizona’s most prestigious track & field and cross country meets to win his gold medals. At the collegiate level, he was a four-time Collegiate First Team All-American in both track & field and cross country and was a former NJCAA National three-mile record holder. He was also a four-time Arizona Community College Athletic Conference Champion in track & field and cross country, where he held records both in the mile (4:06) and three-mile (13:56) events. At the D1 level his mile (4:04) and 5,000 meters (13:56) was commendable for a personal and collegiate record. He was coached by George Young, a four-time Olympian. He also competed with the Southern Arizona Track Club to continue his athletic journey before becoming a high school teacher and coach. Because of his accomplishments he has received many prestigious awards as a former athlete, teacher, coach, and school administrator. He was also a recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award in Utah, and was inducted into the National American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame and Central Arizona Athletic Hall Fame, and has been honored by the Utah State Board of Education for his employment. He also sits on several state education committees and is an advocate for the American Indian populations in Utah. <Back